Folding tubular chair



Aug. 11, 1942.

f R. THOMP$ON, FOLDI NG TUBULAR CHAIR F iled Ju ne 18, 1941 I N VEN TOR.

Patented Aug. 11, 1942 UNITED STATESHPATENT OFFICE FOLDING TUBULAR CHAIR Ross Thompson, Lansing, Mich. Application June 18, 1941, Serial No. 398,665

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in folding chairs, and has for its object to provide a chair which may be readily folded to occupy a minimum space and yet when erected will provide a sturdy comfortable seat having a vertical spring movement.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a folding chair which is collapsible laterally and has its frame constructed of tubular metal bent to provide a spring seat portion.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a chair of the above-mentioned character which is simple and durable in construction, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the chair in erected position,

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the chair in folded position,

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the chair in erected position, and

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the frame of the chair is composed of two identical side members 5 and 6, each of which is formed of a single tubular metal bar bent to form horizontal foot portions 1, horizontal seat supporting bars 8 connected to the foot portions by vertically extending front posts 9, and vertically disposed back supporting posts at the rear ends of the seat supporting bars. The side members and 6 are disposed in parallel relation, being connected in folding relation by a back rest I l and seat I 2. The back rest II is preferably constructed of plywood and is composed of hingedly connected sections l3 and I4, each section being pivotally connected to the back supporting post In of one of the side members by means of U-shaped brackets I5 which embrace the posts Hi. The hinges I6 connecting the sections l3 and I4 together are secured to the backside thereof to permit forward swinging movement of the sections when the chair is collapsed. The back rest is held against Vertical movement on the posts ID by collars I'I secured on the posts adjacent the brackets [5. The seat I2 is similar in construction to the back rest, being composed of sections l8 and I9 hingedly connected together and pivotally secured to the seat supporting bars 8 by U-shaped brackets which are held against sliding movement on the bars by collars 2| secured to bars 8. The hinges 22 connecting the sections I8 and [9 are secured to the bottom side thereof to permit upward swinging movement .expansion and contraction of the cover when the chair is collapsed or opened.

In use, when the chair is collapsed as shown in Fig. 2, the seat sections swing vertically, the back rest sections swing forwardly, and the brace bar sections swing vertically and the side members of the frame move laterally into contacting relation. Thus it is seen the chair is folded compactly so as to occupy a minimum of space. When the chair is opened as shown in Fig. 1, the seat will be supported by the supporting bars of the side members so as to have a springy movement when occupied by a person.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that certain changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of the parts may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A folding chair comprising a frame composed of complementary side members formed from single metal bars bent to provide seat supporting bars and back supporting posts extending vertically from the seat supporting bars, a seat extending between and pivotally connected to the seat supporting bars of the side members, said seat being composed of sections hingedly connected together to swing vertically, and a back rest extending between and pivotally connected to said back supporting posts, said back rest being composed of sections hingedly connected together to swing horizontally in a forward direction.

2. A folding chair comprising a frame composed of complementary side members formed from single metal bars bent to provide horizontally spaced horizontal seat supporting and foot bars connected together by front vertical posts and back supporting posts extending vertically from the rear ends of the seat supporting bars, a seat extending between and pivotally connected to the seat supporting bars, said seat being composed of sections hingedly connected to swing vertically, a back rest extending between and pivotally connected to the back supporting posts, said back rest being composed of sections hingedly connected together to swing horizontally in a forward direction, and a folding brace rod extending between and pivotally connected to the rear ends of said foot bars.

3. A folding chair comprising a frame composed of complementary side members formed from single metal bars bent to provide horizontally space-d horizontal seat supporting and foot bars connected together by front vertical posts, and back supporting posts extending vertically from the rear of the seat supporting bars, a seat composed of foldable rigid sections extending between and connected to the seat supporting bars adapted to hold said side members in spaced relation when in extended position, and a foldable back rest extending between and connected to the back supporting posts of the side members.

4. A folding chair comprising a frame composed of complementary side members formed from single metal bars bent to provide horizontal foot bars and seat supporting bars spaced above and connected at one end to the foot bars, and a seat composed of foldable rigid sections extending between and connected to the seat supporting bars adapted to hold said side members in spaced relation when in extended position.

ROSS THOMPSON. 

